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recognizance

[ ri-kog-nuh-zuh ns, -kon-uh- ]
/ rɪˈkɒg nə zəns, -ˈkɒn ə- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR recognizance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Law.
  1. a bond or obligation of record entered into before a court of record or a magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act.
  2. the sum pledged as surety on such a bond.
Archaic. recognition.
Archaic. a token; badge.

Words related to recognizance

perception, admission, acceptance, understanding, appreciation, realization, respect, concession, awareness, warrant, bond, warranty, collateral, certificate, agreement, contract, deposit, security, insurance, assurance

Words nearby recognizance

recluse, reclusion, reco-reco, recognition, recognition factor, recognizance, recognize, recognizee, recognizor, recoil, recoil escapement

Origin of recognizance

1350–1400; Middle English reconissaunce, recognisance < Old French reconuissance. See recognize, -ance
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for recognizance

British Dictionary definitions for recognizance

recognizance

recognisance

/ (rɪˈkɒɡnɪzəns) /

noun

law
  1. a bond entered into before a court or magistrate by which a person binds himself to do a specified act, as to appear in court on a stated day, keep the peace, or pay a debt
  2. a monetary sum pledged to the performance of such an act
an obsolete word for recognition

Derived forms of recognizance

recognizant or recognisant, adjective

Word Origin for recognizance

C14: from Old French reconoissance, from reconoistre to recognize
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012